another quick question

[ravyc123]

what exactly is the point of the bubble thing, or w/e you call it? do banded gouramis need them?

 

[Dwarfs]

Do you mean a bubble nest?

B nests are used by some species of anabantoids to provide shelter for their eggs. The eggs float in the nest and are usually guarded by the male

 

[annka5]

... or do you mean an air pump? In which case they're to agitate the surface of the water to increase its' surface area so that more carbon dioxide is released from the water and more oxygen is dissolved into the water.
In which case I'd say you probablly don't need one for gourami as they have the ability to take in oxygen directly from the air above the tank by filling a special organ at the back of their head. They therefore can survive in relatively oxygen-poor waters.